2011 MAC Series
Whether trying to get a jump on early-season UCI points, get a piece of the increased purse, or establish themselves as the front-runners for this season’s Champion Systems MAC Cyclocross Series championship, nearly 400 riders have already entered the Nittany Lion Cyclocross, with almost a week still remaining before the race. The event will be held in the fields and property surrounding the world-famous “T-Town” velodrome at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center.
On the Men’s side, defending MAC champion Valentin Schertz is bringing three members of his new Cyfac-Champion Systems presented by Revolution Wheelworks team for his first showdown of the year with Jeremy Powers of Cannondale-CyclocrossWorld.com. Also bringing firepower to the men’s event will be Adam Myerson, who feels the topography of the course suits him. The Elite Juniors are highlighted by multi-time national champion Jeff Bahnson, while the Elite Masters class, which will run as the final race at this event, has a wide-open field of 40 potential race winners and is still growing.
Interestingly, the Elite Women’s field is actually larger than the Elite Men’s at this point, if only by one additional entry. Still, it’s a testament to the drawing power of the increased prize money recently announced for the women at all races in this year’s Champion Systems MAC series. Laura Van Gilder (C3-Athletes Serving Athletes) begins her quest to become the first woman to win the Champions System MAC championship three years in a row. She’ll be challenged by the rapidly improving, Kristin Gavin, Arley Kemmerer, Kristine Church and Nikki Thiemann among others.
In the classes competing for season-ending wheelsets from Revolution Wheelworks, there are already 91 entries in the Category 2/3/4 Men, 26 B-Women and 96 Cat 4 Men. With a high percentage of entries traditionally arriving in the last week of pre-registration, sold-out fields are a possibility in several classes. More information about the Nittany Lion ’Cross, round one of the 2010 Champion System MAC Series, can be found at BikeReg.com.
